What Types of Injuries Can Occur During a C-Section Delivery?

 Posted on March 04, 2021 in Birth Injury

Births take place every day in hospitals throughout the United States, and doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel are trained and equipped to address complications and perform procedures to ensure that children are delivered safely. Cesarean deliveries are commonly performed if there are problems that would make a vaginal delivery unsafe, and in some cases, emergency C-sections are necessary to prevent birth injuries to children. Since a C-section is a surgical procedure, there are a variety of complications that can occur, and in addition to issues that may affect the health of a child, there is also a risk of life-threatening maternal injuries.

Injuries to Infants in a Cesarean Delivery

While C-sections can usually be performed without putting a child at risk, some injuries may still occur. The most common injuries involve lacerations in which a child is cut by surgical tools during the procedure. While these types of injuries are usually minor, in some cases, they could lead to serious blood loss or nerve damage. If children are delivered before 39 weeks, they are at higher risk of injuries such as broken bones, skull fractures, or brachial plexus injuries. Following a C-section, some newborns will experience breathing issues or excessive fluid in the lungs.

Maternal C-Section Injuries

Mothers are often at a higher risk than children of suffering injuries during a Cesarean delivery. These may include:

• Hemorrhaging - A mother may experience severe bleeding during or after a C-section surgery, and if this is not addressed properly, the loss of blood could lead to maternal death. 

• Infections - If the proper measures are not taken to sterilize tools or minimize the spread of viruses or bacteria during surgery, a mother can get an infection at the site of the incision. In some cases, a Cesarean delivery may also lead to endometritis, in which the lining of the uterus becomes infected. Infections that are not addressed properly may lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

• Amniotic fluid embolism - In some cases, amniotic fluid or fetal cells may enter the mother’s bloodstream, leading to a dangerous allergic reaction.

• Organ damage - During a C-Section, a surgeon may inadvertently damage organs such as the bladder or intestines, leading to additional complications that can affect the mother’s long-term health.

• Blood clots - Surgery may lead to blood clots in the legs or pelvic area, and if these clots travel to the lungs, heart, or brain, this can lead to additional life-threatening injuries.

• Anesthesia injuries - If a mother receives an improper dose of anesthesia during surgery, this can lead to low blood pressure or a lack of oxygen. A mother may also suffer serious harm if she experiences an allergic reaction to anesthesia.

Contact Our Chicago Birth Injury Attorneys

If you or your child have experienced injuries during a Cesarean delivery, you will want to make sure to understand your options for receiving financial help that will allow you to cover the costs of medical treatment and provide for your family’s needs. At the Birth Injury Law Alliance, we can help you determine what forms of assistance are available, and we can work with you to find out whether your injury occurred because of mistakes or negligence by medical personnel. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, contact our Illinois birth injury lawyers today at 312-462-4200.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-section/about/pac-20393655

https://www.webmd.com/baby/risks-of-a-c-section

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17012450/